Jack Wayne Hunt

Jack W. Hunt passed away October 20, 2025, one month past his 90th birthday, in Delta Memorial Hospital. He had lived at home in Hotchkiss Colorado, up until his hospitalization.

Jack's family was in the process of moving from Kansas, during the dustbowl days, to a better life, when he was born in Pritchett, Colorado. They settled in the North Fork Valley. At first they lived in Paonia, Colorado then eventually settled in Hotchkiss on Hanson Mesa. He was the 6th of 8 children. Jack was the last surviving member of his childhood family.

Jack graduated from Hotchkiss High School 1954. He held records in track that were still held in the 80’s, when his youngest daughter was in high school. His love of football, though, was unsurpassed.

Jack married Alice Owensby, October 30, 1954. They were the prime example of childhood sweethearts. They had known each other as kids, then reconnected in high school. They were married 60 years until she passed away, September 10, 2015. Her passing truly broke his heart.

When they were newly married, he worked in the Uranium Boom in Western Colorado, and Eastern Utah. Notably in the Naturita, Nucla, Uravan area as a miner but mostly he was on the drilling rigs.

Jack’s main profession was as a Master Carpenter, and Building Superintendent, for many companies. He was known for his work ethic, honesty and attention to detail on every job he did. Jack was known to panic if anyone would say it was level, only ½ a bubble off! On one particular job, a gold Mine in Nevada, the company he worked for was required, in the contract, to have him as Building Supervisor before the Mine would sign the construction contract.

Some of his more notable building accomplishments in the 1960’s were, the then, new Phoenix Sewer Plant, additions to Good Samaritan Hospital, and Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix AZ during the 1960’s.

In the late 60’s, he moved his immediate family back to Colorado after a teamster strike in Phoenix which had shut down construction. At first the family resided in Grand Junction, then moved to Hotchkiss. Jack continued to work in Grand Junction. He was one of the first commuters and drove from Hotchkiss to Grand Junction every day.

Jack was the superintendent on many large homes in Grand Junction. He has a scrapbook filled full of thank you’s from the Doctors whose homes he built. There seemed to be a competition going between them on whose could be the most elaborate. He loved figuring it out. He also built many other notable buildings in that area. Some of those were the Crossroads Building which is now home to Hopewest/Pace in Grand Junction, also the first Wellington Buildings which house the oncology unit, and Pavillion for St. Mary’s hospital. When you drive through Western Colorado there are too many buildings to list that had his touch.

Jack’s career took an abrupt turn during 1969 and 1970. He pursued his dream job of being a Highway State Patrolman. He, at 31 years old, went to school for the Colorado Highway State patrol and graduated first in his class. He was stationed in Northglenn, Colorado.

His family was miserable, being uprooted from a small town and school, to having to live in a large city and go to a gigantic school. He also wasn’t getting to see much of them. Recognizing that, he sacrificed his dream job just to move them all back to Hotchkiss. He never said that was the reason, but as adults they knew and realized what he had done for them.

When the kids were grown his work took him to Nevada, and San Francisco, CA. He absolutely loved driving and traveling.

He truly was a quiet unsung hero. His family has many stories of his heroism from co-workers, where he literally saved their lives. Stories that he never told, stories that they told his family. Always, he was there holding people up and helping in a crisis for all of his immediate family and extended. Jack was known as the quiet one that was the pillar. Many a young man got their career start from his guidance. He was the supervisor that worked alongside his men and just didn’t boss. But the catch was, they had to learn to keep up with him and do it right and be 15 minutes early to work. Also, learn that ½ a bubble off was not acceptable!

Jack had a very strong quiet faith that guided him throughout his life.

In his later years he was very involved and concerned about the political climate of the world, which everyone who knew him, knew his views.

He is survived by three children, Linda “Pete” Cunningham (Jerry), Scott Hunt (Deb), Suzanne “Suzy” Gardner (Rex); 6 grandchildren, Amy Perkins (Jeff), Ted Cunningham,

Ty Ware (Jody), Cas Osantowski, (Nik), Quin Gardner, Reilly Gardner.; also 8 great-grandchildren, and 2 great great-grandchildren.

Many buildings have left his mark like cornerstones, and his quiet faith always guided him, but his true legacy is a long life, well lived demonstrated by the absolute love he has shown his family. He was a great Dad and father-in-law. He strived to pass on his love, work ethic and honesty to all. The fact is that his family really understood that he truly was an unsung hero. He was their Hero! That’s his ultimate life legacy.

And never build anything half a bubble off!

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jack W Hunt’s name to:

Saddle Mountain Fellowship, 3842 Stearman Ln, Crawford 81415 c/o Mike West.